Cricket culture is so prominently portrayed at the Holkar Stadium here. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), known for its transparency in every administrative department, has thoughtfully named stands at the stadium after 12 prominent cricketers.
According to cricket author Prof. S. P. Chaturvedi, the names were picked after much research and deliberations.
“We wanted to honour the greats. Some who played for the country and some who brought glory to the State,” he said.
The stands on one side have been named after Vijay Hazare, Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble.
Those who have been acknowledged for their immense contribution from the Holkar era are J. N. Bhaya, M. M. Jagdale, Khandu Rangnekar, Hiralal Gaekwad, Chandu Sarwate and C. S. Nayudu.
The MPCA has remembered to name the main gate after G. R. Pandit, who pioneered the first local cricket tournament in Indore, going around the city on a bicycle to arrange grounds, teams and match officials.
The MPCA has not left players from the State who served the team at various stages, including Satish Malhotra, who was an office-bearer with vision. The idea to make it a true cricket centre was mooted by the Sanjay Jagdale, the current Board Secretary. A cricket buff in the true sense, Jagdale, also a first-class player, has worked to make cricket and cricketers the priority at the Holkar Stadium. A cricket museum and library figure in the future plans.
Players like Narendra Hirwani, Amay Khurasia and Rajesh Chauhan have gates named after them. The MPCA has not forgotten Sandhya Aggarwal, who served the Indian women's team with distinction.
The galleries in the stadium have been decorated with cricketers who have enriched the game. The welcome portrait at the main entrance is Garry Sobers and Brian Lara.
Two great cricketers, Col C. K. Nayudu and Mushtaq Ali, have the pavilion blocks named after them and the dressing rooms have been dedicated to Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Rahul Dravid.
The Bhopal-born Pataudi had a great appeal in this city, just as Dravid, who is considered a local lad. He was born in Indore.
